My Hep B Clinical Trial Log

Lucky,

That's great news your viral load has dropped really quickly!!!
Just keep on going you are almost there!!

Hopefully your surface antigen will clear on its own without the peg!

As always keep us posted!!

D

D, that is what I am hoping too -- the surface antigen clears without peg. Peg is one thing I want to avoid at all costs, due to the side effects. I may opt to not do it if given the choice and wait it out for a cure drug.

On the flip side, my current drug can take a while for it to clear surface antigen, but I won't know the timeframe without seeing quantitive number, which is not available commercially in the states. It's lab only. While the drug has a 7-10% cure rate, if it doesn't cure early (within a year timeframe) then it could take 15-18 years to cure on a drug alone.

Anyway, today is my one year anniversary from when I first learned I had this nasty nasty virus!

D, that report you might have read was old. The issue with Peg combo treatment is, as I said, the nasty side effects and the fact that everyone's body is different. On certain Genotypes, it will work wonders (mainly A & B) but others, it's risk. Mine is D and my doctor has told me at this time, it would be worthless to try it even after I go undetectable. I think you might be confusing ARC-520 with the GS9620. GS9620 is the tablet form of Peg, which is also still in clinical trial. It's being deemed as worthless at this point unless it eliminates the side effects. ARC-520 is more intergrated towards DNA and the genes which comprise of the virus and they are trying to eliminate the side effects from them. Still about at least 2-3 years away.

On the flip side, adding good Vitamins to your diet to boost the immune system has been proven to also help in clearing the hbsag, though not as quick as peg. A few people I've heard from in particular, added a good Vitamin D3 regiment and saw a decline in hbsag quantity within the first 6 months. Also, results of Phase IIa ARC-520 should be released this month (Q3). More than likely in the conference in Toronto.

Here's a good read:

http://www.investorvillage.com/smbd.asp?mb=2815&mn=2659&pt=msg&mid=14026504

.1 clearance per dosage is HUGE. Might mean only a few months of therapy before clearance for some!

hi lucky, those are great numbers. in fact your alt/ast are normal. high end of normal, but normal. every month you are consistently bringing down that v/l. keep the faith Lucky
barry

Wanted to give an update as to where I am, got my 5 month numbers:

HBV DNA IU/mL - 347
HBV LOG 10 - 2.54
Total Bili -- 0.3 mg/dL
Dir Bili -- 0.1mg/dL
Ind Bili -- 0.2mg/dL
ALT (SGPT) - 45
AST (SGOT) - 28

So some comments. Disappointed the DNA did not clear to undetectable within these 5 months. I guess not much can be done at this point other than keep taking the meds and watch it reduce month by month. Glad it did go down almost 400 points though, and my Log10 also was reduced by .3 which is good. ALT needs 2 more points down to be in normal range (according to this lab).

One of my main concerns was the Ostecalcin levels, which were not measured this lab.. was hoping it was, as it seems to be measured every 2 months, so I guess my 6 month lab will show it. Another concern now is my Parathyroid Hormone level jumped up to 56.3 pg/mL but according to labs, this is still well within normal range.

In my 6 month lab, scheduled for a few weeks from now, they will draw more blood for more testing and do more tests. I am also going for a DEXA Scan before that to determine if there was any bone density loss from the Tenofovir. I suspect there was not, but it's safe to get it down... they are doing it every 6 months. Afterwards, I have my second Hep A vaccine shot scheduled.

Anyway, until then, as Hulk Hogan would say.. I'll train, pray and eat my vitamins (and lemons too!) and here's to hoping for a cure!

Just giving more of an update. I had my DXEA scan done. I have the results but no comparisons from my baseline. I was told there was not significant chage from baseline and if there was, the sponsors would have let my doctors know. Of course, there are some concerns for me but let me give you guys what is relevant here:

HBV DNA IU/mL - 199 (Still not undectable but the trend seems to be it's reducing by close to half each month for me. I suspect next test will be around 100)
HBV LOG 10 - 2.30 (reduced by .2 from last month)
HBsAg - Positive (Needs to be negative)

HBeAg - Negative
Total Bili -- 0.4 mg/dL
Dir Bili -- 0.1mg/dL
Ind Bili -- 0.3mg/dL
ALT (SGPT) - 54
AST (SGOT) - 38

My creatine level was a little high.. 1.26mg/dL when the max should be 1.24mg/dL. Thinkinking I should drink more water.

My PARATHYROID HORMONE is back down to 31.1 pg/mL, it was at 56 before. I needed to let this continue to go lower. I'm happy about this. It's still within normal range.

My total Cholesterol went up a bit from 150ish to 177ish. Funny, I was eating healthy for a few weeks before my test but the weekend of, was not a healthy weekend, so I suspect this has a lot to do with it. Plus I've had lack of exercise lately. However, with this lab, it's actually still normal.

Osteocalcin - 47.70ng/mL (Another number that was concerning me. It was up around high 50s last time so it's reduced with my Vitamin K-2 but still too high according to this test)

Overall, besides my 2 herniated and 2 bulge discs in my neck, I do feel a LOT better. I just want this viral load to go undetected first. Hopefully it is by the end of the year!

Hey D! Yes, both type A and B would respond to interferon the best! When I had my first visit to my doctor, this is what he told me, that A and B were the easiest to treat and "cure" from Hep B. He said C was dificult, and more associated with Cancer and such. He made no mention of what it was for D, which is of course what I have.

Surprisingly, I'm not in pain with the discs. I just have a hard time keeping my head straight and have occassional dizzy spells and some ringing in the ears as well (which I'm still not sure if it was from this neck issue or the virus, as it started the same time virus went active and has reduced dramatically)

Hey All, wanted to share more results from my last test:

HBV DNA IU/mL - 54
HBV LOG 10 - 1.73 (another big drop)
HBsAg - Positive (Needs to be negative)
HBeAg - Negative
Total Bili -- 0.4mg/dL
Dir Bili -- < 0.1mg/dL
Ind Bili -- < 0.3mg/dL
ALT (SGPT) - 52
AST (SGOT) - 32

Other things that concern me:
Creatine - 1.46 mg/dL (high end in normal is 1.24)
PARATHYROID HORMONE - 40.2 pg/mL

Everything else, seems to be normal. Still no Vitamin D test on this clinical trial, so I'm going to go measure it through blood test at another doctor myself at the beginning of next year. I'm going back on 20,000 iu Daily because I suspect, with my DXEA scan, I need it (along with some good K2 and Calcium)

Some comments:
HBV DNA - The goal on the clinical trial was to get me below 70, I believe. I've reached that goal. But this is still not considered undetectable. I'm doing everything I can this month to assure it gets there by next test (lots of green tea, honey, veggies, ginger, black curcumin seed, etc.)

Creatine is a concern.. I need to have a glass of water with a lemon and baking soda in it per day. I need it back to normal. This must be due to the meds.

While the labs on the Parathroid Hormone are well within normal, they increased again. Last trend showed they were going down, so I need to get this down again. I think the goal was 20.

Also, got my baseline DXEA scan. I'll post results later. It's clearly obvious there is bone density loss from baseline compared to the 6 month scan. I'll share both results at a later time.

luckyman...you have been such a champ through this. So helpful to have this reporting on Hep B treatment and labs. Thanks for keeping involved with this site. I know we don't have many that are dealing with B, but when they come here, you have given this site most valuable input and info. Update as you can. I appreciate you, your time, your strength. Be well and be encouraged. Big Hugs

Rachel, just saw your post today. Glad to hear you got in the trial. It's actually about to "close" so you got in it at the right time! Please keep us posted on your progress as well and here's to a speedy recovery for you!

Hi lucky , glad to see you're your goal. Hope you clear without peg.
Barry

Wanted to share the latest results, which include a new Vitamin D level for me. Haven't really been on here much but I know many are curious to see what happens:

HBV DNA IU/mL: < 29 IU/mL HBV DNA Detected
HBV LOG 10: 1.43 (Only dropped .3 but still dropped)
Total Bili: 0.3mg/dL
Dir Bili : < 0.1mg/dL
Ind Bili : < 0.3mg/dL
ALT (SGPT) - 45 (Lowest it has been, norm is up to 43)
AST (SGOT) - 30

Other things that concern me:
Creatine - 1.15 mg/dL (Back to normal range high end in normal is 1.24)
PARATHYROID HORMONE - 45.7 pg/mL (Number keeps fluctuating)
Vitmamin D 25-Hydroxy: 110.0 (ng/mL)

Some comments. Concerned that I now don't have an actual number for my HBV and it's just "less than" but I guess this is a good thing! Not sure when to consider the virus undetected (well, the viral load at least)

Really want to reduce PTH, not sure how. Vitamin D is high, 110. I've been taking 20,000iu daily the past few months. Should I reduce?

Happy the creatine and kidney function tests are back to normal. This was concerning me.

My bones have felt achey (achy) and weak the past few weeks, not sure what to do but exercising more would help :)

Hi Luckyguy, Glad your test is coming back to normal, I bet you feel a little better now. I go to my RA doctor the 5th of January hope he gives me something I can take for this RA cause I'm getting another flare up and this is not because of the Hep B. I have had RA for the last 10 yrs and just came up with Hep B in the last year. I go for lab test the middle of March will post what they are and hope I can get into Nashville TN doctors for my Hep B. Happy New year everyone and remember don't drink Vickie